Umalusi establishes panel to probe 'unsolvable' matric maths question

The investigation follows an outcry by pupils and teachers. 

The three-member panel will be chaired by former deputy director-general in the department Penelope Vinjevold.

Professor of Maths and Applied Maths in the Astrophysics Research Centre of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Professor Sudan Hansraj, will also form part of the panel.

Contract lecturer in the University of Cape Town’s Mathematics Department Professsor Nic Heideman completes the three-member panel.

The CEO of Umalusi, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, said the investigation will not interrupt the exam time frame.

"Umalusi wishes to restate two points. The first is that the investigation will in no way delay the release of the NSC results.

"As per the approved schedule, the results will be approved on 16 January 2023 by the Executive Committee of Umalusi Council and the Minister of Basic Education will release the results to the public on 19 January 2023. Secondly, Umalusi wants to reassure the public that it will do everything humanly possible to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged by the error in Question 5.1.”

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